BT puts Channel Five at forefront of TV-on-demand

BT Media & Broadcast, part of BT’s Global Services division, is to deliver a new online video download store to Channel Five, as part of the broadcaster’s plans to relaunch its on-demand service, Five Download. Responsible for the development of Channel Five’s original download store, BT’s new service is designed to enable Five to compete more aggressively in the growing and competitive TV-on-demand market.

The new service will offer high quality catch-up viewing, archived content and the ability to watch some programmes seven days before they are aired on TV.  Content will be available as a mixture of on-line streamed ad-funded and off-line download models.

As part of the solution, BT Media & Broadcast is developing new functionality for Channel Five, enabling it to add, edit and remove programme content quickly and easily in response to market demand. 

Viewers will also benefit from a new range of content, building on Five Download’s current selection of popular drama including CSI and Grey’s Anatomy. Other user benefits will include a new, powerful search engine and simpler payment.

Paul Thornton-Jones, Digital Controller, Video & Technology at Channel Five, said: “Five Download has already proven very popular and we want to build up the content store to offer viewers even more choice. To deliver that range of programmes we needed a more advanced online system and by working with BT we are guaranteed just that. This project is key to the success of our online content strategy.” 

BT is working with Entriq, agency.com and Limelight Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq, LLNW) combining its own expertise in the broadcast sector with its partners’ specialist capabilities to deliver the full solution that Channel Five requires.

Mark Wilson-Dunn, global VP for sales & marketing, BT Media & Broadcast, commented: “TV-on-demand is becoming an increasing priority for broadcasters, enabling them to maximise the value of their content and extend their brand on-line. For Channel Five it offers real opportunities, but succeeding in this market relies both on great content and great delivery of those programmes. Alongside our partners we are able to deliver a system that is technically powerful and incredibly user-friendly.”

A key element of the project to be delivered by BT will be high levels of encryption and security, ensuring secure delivery to customers and enabling Channel Five to protect content from misuse or piracy. 

ENDS

About Five
Channel 5 was launched as Britain's fifth and final terrestrial broadcaster on 31st March 1997. In July 2005 the channel became wholly owned by long standing shareholder RTL, Europe's largest broadcaster. Currently well over 30 million UK viewers watch Five any given week tuning in for programming as diverse as the CSI franchise, Extraordinary People, live UEFA Cup Football, House, Home & Away and Paul Merton in China, as well as the channel's award-winning children's strand, Milkshake!

In October 2006 Five launched its new digital channels, Five Life and Five US, which within a month of starting established themselves in the Top 15 non-terrestrial channels. 2008 has seen the arrival of the hit Australian soap Neighbours and a revamped and relaunched Five News fronted by Natasha Kaplinsky.

About BT
BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications solutions and services operating in 170 countries.  Its principal activities include the provision of local, national and international telecommunications services to our customers for use at home, at work and on the move; higher-value broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services.  BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, Openreach, BT Retail and BT Wholesale.

In the year ended 31 March 2007, BT Group plc’s revenue was £20,223 million with profit before taxation of £2,484 million.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group.  BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York. 

For more information, visit www.bt.com/aboutbt

For further information about BT
Enquiries about this news release can be made to the BT Group Newsroom on its 24-hour number: 020 7356 5369. From outside the UK dial + 44 20 7356 5369.   All news releases can be accessed at our web site: http://www.bt.com/newscentre

Justine Manche, BT Global Services PR, Tel: 020 7356 5371 or email: justine.manche@bt.com
Anna Miller, Fishburn Hedges, Tel: 020 7544 3043 or email: anna.miller@fishburn-hedges.co.uk